Malaj was responding to a criminal complaint filed against him, the Finance Ministry’s secretary-general and Treasury directors over their position on implementing decisions concerning judges’ and prosecutors’ salaries.

In a public statement, Malaj said Finance Ministry officials had refused to authorise payments from the state Treasury without a parliamentary decision, adding that the issue would be addressed through legislative changes.

“A criminal complaint was filed today against me as head of the institution, the Secretary-General and Treasury directors across Albania. The reason is that we refused to open the doors of the state Treasury to release, without a parliamentary decision, a considerable amount of money as additional salary payments for judges and prosecutors,” Malaj said.

He said the government and parliamentary representatives had stated that the salary issue would be addressed in line with a Constitutional Court ruling, while legislation granting the Finance Ministry the administrative authority to act was expected to be approved on Sept. 17.

Malaj also outlined the financial impact of the salary increases sought by magistrates. According to figures he published, a first-instance judge currently earns 376,381 leks per month, while the requested salary is 567,421 leks. For second-instance judges, the current salary is 388,927 leks, compared with a requested 586,335 leks.

For Group III judges at the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), the current salary is 659,920 leks, while the requested salary is 994,877 leks.

Malaj said the overall impact on the state budget would be around 40 million euros in additional annual spending.

He added that magistrates were also seeking a review of salaries for the 2023-2026 period, which he said would have a claimed budgetary impact of 125 million euros.

Malaj called on Treasury officials and the Finance Ministry’s secretary-general to continue carrying out their duties without intimidation and in accordance with the law.

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In a statement, the Association said public debate on justice-related matters should be conducted responsibly and in a balanced manner, with due respect for the constitutional role of magistrates. It warned that rhetoric aimed at swaying public opinion against them does not serve to strengthen the rule of law.

The Prosecutors’ Association aligned itself with the positions and arguments presented by the Association of Judges before the Constitutional Court, arguing that any legislative change that represents a regression from previously established standards – including reductions in magistrates’ pay – would undermine constitutional guarantees.

It said the independence of the Constitutional Court and of the justice system as a whole is a fundamental principle in a democratic state, adding that constitutional proceedings must be concluded free from external pressure or the instrumentalisation of public opinion.

The Association voiced confidence in the Constitutional Court as the sole legitimate authority to issue a final ruling, and voiced support for efforts aimed at strengthening the constitutional order and safeguarding judicial independence.

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